In a bit of internet-era magic, Schutz connected with fellow community builder Sarah Press through a listserve after they both read an interview with Rosalyn Lemieux, the founder of the first Learnapalooza, out in D.C. In late autumn 2009, Schutz and Press began the planning stages of their own version of the event, which will be held this Saturday, June 19, 2010, in Wicker Park, from 10 am to 5 pm.

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I’ve always been a very shy person, so the biggest lesson I’ve learned is “Don’t be afraid to ask.” So you’re actually putting yourself out there. You’re putting your ideas out there. You’re telling people about it. You’re just asking them. You’re asking for money. You’re asking to participate in something. You’re putting yourself out there to get rejection, but you have to be okay with it, but also just believe in your own idea enough that people are going to buy into it and want to be part of it. So it’s really simple: don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

To READ THE REST of the interview at oururbantimes.com, click here. Stay tuned for more of my work at Our Urban Times, the voice of Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Ukrainian Village!